1. Assisted Living – Encouraging Autonomy, Independence and Remaining in Place Long Term Community Care Coalition & The Coalition of Institutionalized Aged and Disabled

2. The Who, Why and What of Today  Introduction to the workshop  Who was selected to participate  Why these topics are timely & appropriate  What information will be covered

3. Long Term Care Community Coalition / The Coalition of Institutionalized Aged and Disabled  Who are we? –LTCCC= Long Term Care Community Coalition –CIAD= The Coalition of Institutionalized Aged and Disabled

4. What is Assisted Living?   Generally, assisted living residences provide a combination of housing and supportive services for seniors who don’t need to be in a nursing home (for round-the-clock nursing and medical care) but do require more personal care and health services than independent living provides.

5. Consumers are excited about Assisted Living Assisted Living has the promise of:  Choice and control  Independence  Continuing to participate in the outside community  Services that minimize the need to move

6. Why Providers might find it hard to meet “the promise”  Some residence rules may limit ability to make decisions and make choices  Making things easier for staff may limit freedom  Staff shortages  Family might not like residents making decisions  Staff may not know how to encourage autonomy or independence

7. Why Providers might find it hard to meet “the promise”  Physical layout may inhibit independence and autonomy  Regulations may not seem to permit resident choice such as taking risks or residents remaining if they grow more dependent   Fear the resident will be hurt if they make certain choices

8. Why Providers might find it hard to meet “the promise”  Fear the resident may not understand the consequences of their actions  Fear of a lawsuit  Other more independent residents may not like dependent residents remaining  Staff may not know how to care for frailer residents

9. Consumer Issues  Residents/consumers may be afraid of getting hurt or feel they cannot be independent  Residents/consumers may feel overwhelmed when faced with selecting an assisted living residence, or negotiating the world of assisted living – feel that or family “know better”

10. Benefits to Fulfilling the Promise of Assisted Living  Autonomy  Decision Making Power  Risk taking  Independence  Aging-In

11. The promise is not being kept  Three-year study  Methodologies  Results

12. Thinking of Moving to an Assisted Living Residence? Fostering Autonomy & Independence LTCCCCIAD Presented by Cynthia Rudder, Richard Mollet and Geoff Lieberman

13. “A guidebook for finding choice & independence”  Written for the consumer to educate them, NOT to sell them on any one type or idea of assisted living.  It focuses on independence on the elder!  More of a workbook for those considering assisted living residences.  Who should use this book?

14. Empowering Seniors/Disabled  Book is written directly to the senior/disabled  Knowledge is power. The contract, admission agreement, and government regulations and laws establish rights.

15. “A guidebook for finding choice & independence”  Explore Options  Planning Ahead

16. Your Needs, Wants and Questions  “Do You Need Help …..?”  “Is It Important for You To …..?”  Questions to Ask?  What to Look For?  Aging-In

17. What Do You Need ….?  Do you Need Help …. –ADL’s –IADL’s –Getting places –Staying Involved in the outside Community?

18. What Do You Want?  What is important to you as you get help? – Maintaining routines? – Hobbies and other activities? – Going place outside the residence? – Staying involved with your community? – Being involved in your medical treatment? – Being able to remain in the residence you are living in even if you need more help?

19. Questions to Ask  Ask staff  Ask residents  Ask family and friends of residents

20. What to Look For On a Visit  Entrance  Individual Units  Hallways  Neighborhood  Staff Interaction with residents and others  Lighting, Layout, and Physical Conditions  Outside Areas  Pets  Dining Room  Bathrooms  Common Areas

21. Discussion  This book is written for the senior/disabled. How do you think families will/should be involved?

22. How Would You Use This Book?

23. Resident’s Guide for Assisted Living Maintain Your Independence, Choice, & Control Book 2

24. How Is This Book Different?  For those already living within an assisted living facility  Focuses on residents’ ability to  Maintain Control  Decision-Making Power  Autonomy  Age-in

25. Goals and Aims  Encourage a positive dialogue between Consumers & Providers  Encourage residents to evaluate current residence  Enact change

26. Evaluating Current Residences  Independence  Choice  Decision-Making / Risk-Taking  Aging-in / Staying-in

27. “My residence needs changes”  What can a resident do by her/himself?  What can a resident do with others?

28. Enacting Change – By Self –Make informed decisions –Tell People What Matters to You –Take part in your resident service plan –Just do it! –Speak with Staff –Know your rights –State your grievances effectively –Use an Advocate!

29. Enacting Change - with others  Residence Councils –Becoming Active on an Existing Council –Starting your on Residence Council

30. Encourage Positive Dialogue  Providers  Residents

31. How this Guidebook Empowers Residents  Gives them a process for evaluation and making change  Don’t have a Resident Council? Consider Forming One  Your Resident Service Plan  It’s Not Just About Healthcare  Do your part!

32. ExerciseRisk-Taking  Think about an elderly or disabled person who is heavily dependent.  Make a list of the things that this individual might want to do that you think is risky.  Add to this list things that this person might want to do that would not be allowed in an assisted living residence.

33. Exercise  Look at this list. Put a check next to those things you consider unacceptable risks. Put a cross next to those things you consider acceptable risks.  Discussion: discuss reasons  Why might an individual want to do those things you consider an unacceptable risk?  What are the possible benefits to the individual of doing these things?

34. How do you think you would use this booklet? How do you think you would use this booklet?

35. Additional Resources www.assisted-living411.org www.assisted-living411.org www.aarp.org www.aarp.org www.aoa.gov www.aoa.gov www.aahsa.org www.aahsa.org www.alfa.org www.alfa.org www.alfa.org www.ccal.org www.ccal.org www.ccal.org www.eldercare.gov www.eldercare.gov www.eldercare.gov www.caregiver.org www.caregiver.org www.caregiver.org www.ncal.org www.ncal.org www.ncal.org www.ltcombudsman.org www.ltcombudsman.org www.ltcombudsman.org